Missed the dern turn
29 June 2012
The plan for today was from Canyon Ferry Lake to a state park, but when I got to the crucial point (where I had wifi and all mod cons) I forgot to check my course and I bicycled on past the turn, not realizing my error until it was pretty late and my water was pretty depleted. (Water is a big issue out here in the west for a bicyclist, and I'm going to figure out how to at least double the amount I carry). I stopped at one of the many river access points here I met these great guys from Bozeman, Patrick, Matt and Doug, and some others too. I joined them in the water (they had waved madly to me as I crossed the bridge they were near, actually backtracking at that point). They got my story and fell over themselves to give me some acute hydration (a cold PBR) and to fill my water bottles. I spent an hour with them and chatting with an older MSU graduate, Aaron, who is a sculptor in steel. One of the young guys, Matt, I think, is from New Jersey and he has ocean sailing dreams--we had a great talk.
I got back on the road and stopped in Harrison, a tiny burg where there is a huge encampment supporting the forest fire fighters for the local fire in the Pony area (it's been in the news). More in the next post.